A Chicago pediatrician has filed a petition to try to find out who is behind anonymous online comments that he claims defamed him.
Dr. Wayne H. Franklin filed a petition for pre-suit discovery July 8 in Cook County Circuit Court against UCompare Holdings LLC, CityGrid Media LLC and MDX Medical Inc.
According to the complaint, Franklin is a pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist who formerly practiced at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System in Chicago while the defendants own and manage the online review websites: ucomparehealthcare.com, insiderpages.com and vitals.com.
Beginning Oct. 2, 2012, and through at least May 5, the petition alleges multiple internet users posted anonymous comments on the websites regarding Franklin's medical care, stating he was "creepy," "inappropriate" and that he should "be kept away from young kids," among others.
Franklin claims each of the posted claims are false and constitute defamation. The pre-suit discovery petition indicates he probably wants to sue, but needs more information in order to do so.
As a result of the comments, the suit states Franklin has suffered losses of income, good name, reputation and business, as well as shame, humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress.
Franklin is asking the court to order the three companies to hand over the email and Internet Protocol addresses of each of the reviewers who left comments about him.
He is represented by Chicago attorneys Ethan E. White and Michael I. Leonard of Leonard Law Offices.
Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L007139.
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.
Doctor wants to know identity of online reviewer who called him "creepy"
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